An unbidden thrill rises in my chest, the excitement of the fight unfurling to reveal a new side in me. To be a queen would require my constant attention to the pack, to always be ready and willing to protect those who sheltered within my shadow. But it was important that I not let the exhilaration of the fight get the best of me. If it were to entice me into going and looking for fights then I would never be successful.
When Leonidas moved backwards I moved forward, attempting to keep my grip on him for as long as possible. As he twisted away I let my neck twist with him, experiencing the agonizing stretch of my spine for a moment before releasing my grasp. I’d had no intention of following through, but it was a good tactic to try out. That’s what this was all about – learning. Someday when I faced Purge she would not be forgiving. She would be relentless, and I would have to be as well.
My current adversary gives me little time to reorient, as he strikes forward again. His fangs danced along my side, raking down the flesh and causing a stinging sensation to run along my bodice. I fold towards him, and follow him as he dances away, taunting me with silly jibes. Brows furrow and a snarl rips from my throat, determined to show him that I was a worthy opponent for any wolf. For Purge. I do my best to keep a level head, ignoring the smarting pain in my side. He’d not broken flesh, but the skin puckered beneath my fur where he had dragged his fangs along my hide. On the morrow my body would certainly ache, and bruises would rise hidden beneath my glorious coat. But today I would carry on, I would continue this spar until I had proved to him and myself that I could do this.
The saliva he had left behind is all but ignored. He was trying to get a rise out of me, this much I knew. It was working, to an extent; but I let it fuel my next attack. I lunged forward and to the left, feigning an attack at his foreleg before pivoting and darting towards his right. My hope was that he would have lifted the left foreleg, and in doing so put his weight on the right. Even if he hadn’t, I would snap my jaws in quick succession, starting at the ankle and working my way up towards his shoulder. No bite would be savage, none meaning to break flesh. Only to make quick bites along the leg, almost like sharp kisses.
When I was done with this, I would recede, quickly stepping backwards but never turning away from him. My blazing eyes watched him, trying to predict his next move. I had to get good at this. I just had to.